What Apple TV+ offers for Formula 1 racing

Apple TV+ does not currently carry live Formula 1 races. The streaming service has no rights to broadcast F1 events, may have access to sessions, or practice rounds. If you want to watch F1 live, you need a different service — most commonly ESPN+ in the United States, or your country's official F1 broadcaster.

What Apple TV+ does have is F1-related documentary and behind-the-scenes content. The most prominent is the series Formula 1: Drive to Survive, which follows teams and drivers across a full season. Episodes release weeks or months after races end, so this is not live coverage — it is narrative storytelling about what happened during the season.

If you already subscribe to Apple TV+ for other shows, you can watch F1 documentaries as part of your existing subscription at no extra cost. But if your main goal is to watch races as they happen, Apple TV+ alone will not meet that need.

Key Takeaways

  • Apple TV+ carries F1 documentaries and behind-the-scenes series, not live races or may have access to sessions.
  • Live F1 broadcasts are available through ESPN+ in the US, or through your country's official F1 broadcaster or cable provider.
  • F1 documentary content on Apple TV+ releases after races conclude, so it is not real-time coverage.
  • An Apple TV+ subscription includes F1 documentaries at no additional cost, but you cannot watch races live through the service alone.

Where to watch live Formula 1 races

In the United States, ESPN+ holds the streaming rights to live F1 races. You can watch may have access to, practice sessions, and the race itself on race weekends. ESPN+ is a separate subscription from Apple TV+ and costs roughly $11 per month, though pricing changes periodically. Some cable packages also include ESPN+ or offer it bundled with other services.

Outside the US, the broadcaster varies by country. In the United Kingdom, Sky Sports holds the rights. In Canada, it is TSN or RDS. In Australia, it is Foxtel. The official Formula 1 website lists the broadcast partner for each region. Many countries also offer F1 races through traditional cable or satellite TV, not just streaming.

Some F1 races are also broadcast on traditional network television in certain countries — for example, ABC in the US occasionally airs select races. Check your local TV listings or your country's official F1 broadcaster to see what is available in your area.

What F1 content is actually on Apple TV+

Formula 1: Drive to Survive is the main F1 series on Apple TV+. Each season covers one F1 season and includes roughly ten episodes. The show follows multiple teams, drivers, and their personal and professional challenges throughout the year. Episodes are released all at once or in batches, not week by week, so you can watch the full season whenever it becomes available.

The series does not replace live race coverage. It is documentary-style storytelling that airs after the season ends. If you watch it, you will already know the race results from news or other sources. The value is in seeing behind-the-scenes footage, team radio conversations, and driver interviews that explain what led to those results.

Apple TV+ occasionally releases other F1-related content — interviews, short documentaries, or specials — but Drive to Survive is the primary ongoing series. Check the Apple TV+ app directly to see what F1 content is currently available, as the library changes.

How to access F1 content on Apple TV+

If you already have an Apple TV+ subscription, open the Apple TV app on your device — iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV box, smart TV, or web browser. Search for "Formula 1" or "Drive to Survive" to find available content. The show will appear in your search results if it is currently in the library.

If you do not yet have Apple TV+, you can start a subscription through the Apple TV app, the Apple website, or through a third-party provider like a cable company or phone carrier that bundles it. Apple TV+ costs around $12 per month for the standard plan, though pricing varies by region and promotional offers change regularly.

Some people get Apple TV+ free for a limited time when they purchase an Apple device. Check your Apple account to see if you have an active free trial or promotional period.

Combining services to watch F1 completely

To watch both live F1 races and F1 documentaries, you will need at least two subscriptions: ESPN+ (or your country's live broadcaster) for races, and Apple TV+ for documentaries. This is not a single bundle — you pay for each separately.

Some people also subscribe to cable or satellite TV that includes ESPN or their country's F1 broadcaster, which can be more expensive than streaming alone but may include other sports and channels. The cheapest route for F1 only is usually ESPN+ plus Apple TV+, assuming you want both live coverage and documentary content.

If you only care about live races and have no interest in documentaries, you need only ESPN+ (or your regional broadcaster) — Apple TV+ adds nothing to that goal. If you only want to watch documentaries and do not need live coverage, Apple TV+ alone is sufficient.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I watch F1 races live on Apple TV+?

No. Apple TV+ does not have the rights to broadcast live F1 races, may have access to, or practice sessions. For live F1 coverage in the US, you need ESPN+. In other countries, check your local broadcaster — Sky Sports (UK), TSN (Canada), Foxtel (Australia), and others hold regional rights.

Is Drive to Survive the only F1 show on Apple TV+?

It is the main ongoing series, but Apple TV+ occasionally releases other F1-related content such as interviews or specials. Check the app directly to see what is currently available, as the library changes over time.

Do I need both ESPN+ and Apple TV+ to watch F1?

Only if you want both live races and documentaries. ESPN+ gives you live coverage; Apple TV+ gives you behind-the-scenes storytelling. You can subscribe to just one if you only want one type of content.

How much does it cost to watch F1 on streaming services?

ESPN+ costs roughly $11 per month in the US, and Apple TV+ costs roughly $12 per month. Both prices vary by region and change periodically. If you want both, expect around $20 to $25 per month combined, though promotional pricing may be available.

When does new F1 content release on Apple TV+?

Drive to Survive typically releases one season per year, usually several months after the F1 season ends. The entire season releases at once or in batches, not week by week. Check the Apple TV+ app for release dates and availability.